“This shouldn't be shock to anyone” - Andy Carrier

Despite what’s been reported on another web site, while the Carrier Brothers, Andy and Mark, have agreed in principle to sell their Top Fuel team to Scott Griffin, the purchase is not final.

“Contrary to reports, this is not a done deal,” Griffin told Torco’s Competitionplus.com this afternoon. “Those details are not going to be resolved this week. We have agreed to the initial terms. Out of respect for those involved, we aren’t going to rush with a formal announcement. We will be communicating heavily (with those involved in the purchase).”

Griffin purchased one-third of the Carrier Boys operation earlier this season after making the decision to park his own Top Fuel car, which was formerly driven by Andrew Cowin and had been slated for Scott Weis to drive in 2007. Due to a number of problems the team never made it out this season.

“I approached Mark and Andy earlier in the week as to whether there would be any interest on their behalf of selling the remaining shares,” Griffin said. “At this time we have reached terms on an agreement, although there are some details that still need to be determined.”

Griffin said there were more entities involved in the deal than just he and the Carrier brothers.

Current team co-owner Andy Carrier said he was surprised to read about the sale on the Internet before the transaction could be formally completed.

“No one contacted me or Mark to ask if we had sold the team,” Carrier said from his home in Bristol, TN. “Although this is the direction things are headed, it should come as no surprise to anyone. We have been in talks since last year about Scott purchasing the team.

“This wasn’t a knee-jerk reaction to anything,” Carrier continued. “It has been going on for months. Cory and I have been talking about this regarding keeping people in place for [Griffin] to take over. This has been headed that way for about six months. There has just been a spin put on the shock value here.”

Mark Carrier added that their reason for selling their ownership stake in the team is simply to devote more time to their families and growing business interests.

Driver Cory McClenathan admitted that he’s still learning the details of the still-pending sale and he remains focused on winning races for the benefit of both the sponsors and team.

“I guess it’s all a reality,” McClenathan said. “I don’t know everything. I am just going off of what I’ve heard for the last few days. Mark and Andy, I guess, have decided to sell the team to Scott Griffin.”

McClenathan was aware of the previous 33% purchase of the team by Griffin. He assumed things were headed toward an outright buyout of the Carrier’s interests prior to the premature and somewhat inaccurate story that appeared elsewhere on the Internet.

“It’s sort of a surprise to everyone, myself and a lot of vendors,” McClenathan said. “The vendors had gotten letters saying that all bills were to be sent to Scott Griffin to get paid. This operation is going to keep headed in the same direction it has always been. If I am in charge that is what I expect to see. My job is to take care of the sponsors and the car, (to) make sure all of the guys have the tools they need to keep racing. As far as I am concerned, it’s day-to-day and I’m going to keep doing what I’m supposed to do.”

The Carriers were determined to ensure the longevity of the Top Fuel team -- at least to complete the season. Griffin has certainly been no stranger to all the parties involved.

“The last few months Scott has been anxious to purchase the remaining shares from us,” Carrier said. “None of the sponsors should be worried about this. The car has funding to finish the year. The driver, crew chiefs -- everyone is set up.

“Scott has been with us for five months now. He has been an integral part of the program and he’s no stranger to the sponsors. We wanted to make sure the car was never parked. We wanted to make sure the car kept running and everyone kept their jobs.”

The assurances from the parties involved won’t be enough to keep McClenathan from feeling a bit insecure.

“I think it always does as a driver,” McClenathan said. “The unknown is what we worry about the most and foremost. We are sitting here and it’s time to put fuel in the car and go qualify. As far as I’m concerned, my day-to-day duties haven’t changed at all. Maybe I am going to have to take on a larger role, so to speak, in what the decisions are day-to-day.

“With Wes Cerney, Tony Shortall and the rest of the guys behind me, as far as we’re concerned … nothing’s changed. I think Mark, Andy and Scott can answer the questions better than I can.”

Griffin is just excited about the future.

“I am extremely elated to have this opportunity," Griffin said. "I do not anticipate anything changing. We are planning to do things for the better to make the team even stronger.”